Project manager

Der Kopf des Projektteams

The terms project manager and project leader are often used synonymously because in the English speaking world there is no distinction between the two, unlike in Germany for example. The job of a project manager entails overlooking of the project and guiding the project team.

If you take away the 'project' the two words 'manager' and 'leader' remain and then you can differentiate between the two. A good manager does not equal a good leader. But besides ‘hard skills’ such as measuring metrics and planning resources, a manager also needs leadership skills, so the lines are not clear cut. All in all, a manager focuses more on the administrative aspects of a project. On the other hand, a leader will be more focused on the strategic and human side of the work.